UFC returning to Manila in October, but Fil-Am John Dodson mum on whether he'll be part of fight card

BARELY has UFC fighter John Dodson warmed up in his first ever visit to Manila and yet, he's already looking forward to his next one.

The 31-year-old Dodson trumpeted the return of UFC Fight Night to the country on October 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena during a press conference on Thursday as part of his three-day tour.

The half-Filipino fighter didn’t categorically say whether he’ll be part of the fight card in the second fight card of the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization to be held in Manila following the successful staging of its maiden show featuring Frankie Edgar and Urijah Faber May of last year.

But Dodson said he and his ‘UFC friends’ will definitely be back here four months from now.

“Are you guys ready to see more (UFC) people here? Do you guys want to see another fight here sometime soon?” he asked people inside the jampacked media presentation made possible by Cignal, at the Impressions restaurant inside Maxims’ Hotel.

“I wanna make sure that this is going to be an amazing show for you guys. Spread it and tell it to everybody,” added Dodson, who is ranked No. 2 in the UFC's flyweight rankings.

Dodson did admit though, how he loves to fight in the country of his mother, who he describes as his ‘biggest inspiration.’

“‘I’m always ready to fight (here) anytime,” he said. “I want the people to know that I’m Filipino. I make my mom proud everyday because I’m proud of my heritage.”

Proof how he had embraced the Filipino culture, Dodson disclosed that he loves eating pansit, lumpia, and adobo, which he even knows how to cook.

Initially, he wanted to be a computer engineer, but when he went to the gym one day, he stuck with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and never looked back.

A black belter in Gaidojutsu, the native of Albuquerque in New Mexico considers MMA as an art, and wants the kids ‘to look at it as they make their own masterpiece.’

Known as ‘The Magician,’ (for his blinding speed, as one of the guys noted in his earlier fights), Dodson has a current fight record of 19-7-0. He is coming off a knock out win over Manny Gamburyan in UFC Fight Night last April.

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While in the country until the 26th, he will engaged in a series of public and media activities, including a showcase of his quick and explosive moves in an open workout on June 25 at Robinsons Place, Manila.

The mall event will also feature UFC Octagon girl Red dela Cruz.

Dodson’s Manila tour is presented by UFC and Cignal TV as part of UFC’s strong commitment of a continuous effort to expand its brand in the country and with the rest of Southeast Asia.